tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17440850182829625752018-12-06T01:53:30.905-08:00Paper RobotTextile arts inspiration and sewing tutorials, by Sandra Helsley.Sandra Helsleynoreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-12072129852416134532016-04-13T22:44:00.001-07:002016-04-13T22:44:47.644-07:00Fashion Designs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PFImYBaFXio/Vw8pa2jbGQI/AAAAAAAAvI4/67VvQp1svN0G6fojuDRhJ8s9IMOsIGO8gCKgB/s1600/IMG_5439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PFImYBaFXio/Vw8pa2jbGQI/AAAAAAAAvI4/67VvQp1svN0G6fojuDRhJ8s9IMOsIGO8gCKgB/s320/IMG_5439.JPG" width="320"></a></div><br><br>This semester I&#39;ve had many chances to take my pencils to paper and create some of my own designs. It&#39;s difficult to come up with one decent outfit, never mind several at a time, as a full-time designers do! I think I&#39;ll stick with pattern manipulation, but it is fun to play around with colour and fabric in my various attempts to create something. It helps that each assignment has definite yet broad restrictions, which provide an easy starting point. Each one implements some basic principle or element of design.<br><br>Isn&#39;t it funny? Whenever something feels extremely open-ended (e.g., creating a collection), it&#39;s somehow always easier to add some rules to focus your thoughts.<br><br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2016/04/fashion-designs.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-3594319443256447962016-03-18T14:01:00.004-07:002016-04-07T03:06:16.881-07:00Patternwork: BodicesMidterm season is upon us once again, which seems like a good time to stop collecting photos of work I&#39;ve done this semester, and start posting them!<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvV95MpF_uY/VujxFX0S8_I/AAAAAAAAtik/Hr5pVlv1qY8Tv5MB_9oXJSZkF_TqkBpZg/s1600/IMG_4973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvV95MpF_uY/VujxFX0S8_I/AAAAAAAAtik/Hr5pVlv1qY8Tv5MB_9oXJSZkF_TqkBpZg/s320/IMG_4973.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2016/03/patternwork-bodices.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-64299509315879735252016-03-15T22:22:00.000-07:002016-04-13T21:59:43.844-07:00SF Industry Visits: February 19th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9h2Qfm9mhK8/VtT-e3MXCsI/AAAAAAAAtF0/Pz1KnXF8BXA/s1600/IMG_4486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9h2Qfm9mhK8/VtT-e3MXCsI/AAAAAAAAtF0/Pz1KnXF8BXA/s320/IMG_4486.JPG" width="320"></a></div><br>This was the last full day trip visiting local shops in San Francisco, and while it&#39;s nice to have my weekends back again, I&#39;m going to miss learning about all of the local fashion businesses in the area. I suppose I&#39;ll have to get real-world experience, next? Starting with actually putting this post up! ;)<br><br>The places we visited during this trip were:<br><br><ul><li>Rickshaw Bagworks</li><li>Dark Garden</li><li>Amour Vert</li></ul><br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2016/03/sf-industry-visits-february-19th.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-14774804353991710542016-02-22T11:31:00.000-08:002016-02-22T11:31:07.132-08:00The Best Ironing Board Ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3D8cIe-95zc/VsQeqde7eJI/AAAAAAAAsak/93pQ45QUXQc/s1600/IMG_4389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3D8cIe-95zc/VsQeqde7eJI/AAAAAAAAsak/93pQ45QUXQc/s320/IMG_4389.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our classrooms at <a href="http://canadacollege.edu/fashion/" target="_blank">school</a> have got the best damn ironing boards I have ever used, hands down. I hate normal ironing boards. I always manage to get my fingers caught in some lever, and nothing ever really gets flattened properly. But these boards are The. Best. And with no sewing required, they&#39;re easy to make, too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2016/02/the-best-ironing-board-ever.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-2421535135155898312016-02-18T23:36:00.000-08:002016-02-18T23:48:01.676-08:00SF Industry Visits - February 5th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TLnEA6M0eA/VsbGAi8f6DI/AAAAAAAAseI/eLh8W16olEU/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TLnEA6M0eA/VsbGAi8f6DI/AAAAAAAAseI/eLh8W16olEU/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br>Two weeks ago, I posted the photos I took from my class<a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2016/02/sf-industry-visits-january-22nd.html" target="_blank"> industry visits in San Francisco</a>, and since we&#39;re about to go visit some more places tomorrow, it seems fitting to finally post about the visits we made on February 5th.<br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2016/02/sf-industry-visits-february-5th.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-41314054804790574182016-02-04T21:02:00.001-08:002016-02-04T21:39:58.278-08:00SF Industry Visits - January 22nd<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MZfKRT4nJ_g/VrQn5NGgjOI/AAAAAAAArkA/n239UJ_c23U/s640/blogger-image-1132075344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MZfKRT4nJ_g/VrQn5NGgjOI/AAAAAAAArkA/n239UJ_c23U/s640/blogger-image-1132075344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0jT1dXEl2H8/VrQn8tHXFRI/AAAAAAAArkI/a2Udl37pZUY/s640/blogger-image--951814147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0jT1dXEl2H8/VrQn8tHXFRI/AAAAAAAArkI/a2Udl37pZUY/s640/blogger-image--951814147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q3M2waT6GEw/VrQnxx6uCJI/AAAAAAAArjw/mCNKosHOsVs/s640/blogger-image-1932625347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q3M2waT6GEw/VrQnxx6uCJI/AAAAAAAArjw/mCNKosHOsVs/s640/blogger-image-1932625347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UuJRT2Dl13c/VrQnv3cWMYI/AAAAAAAArjs/CpbanWPseNQ/s640/blogger-image--707913133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UuJRT2Dl13c/VrQnv3cWMYI/AAAAAAAArjs/CpbanWPseNQ/s640/blogger-image--707913133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yi1MnNzF7F8/VrQnuKgD1JI/AAAAAAAArjo/DR5yQHS3X3Y/s640/blogger-image--139230056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yi1MnNzF7F8/VrQnuKgD1JI/AAAAAAAArjo/DR5yQHS3X3Y/s640/blogger-image--139230056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tdg2n6f4gts/VrQn3cajzkI/AAAAAAAArj8/CpOr2w3egvU/s640/blogger-image--1647357765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tdg2n6f4gts/VrQn3cajzkI/AAAAAAAArj8/CpOr2w3egvU/s640/blogger-image--1647357765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ha3gDEFj1Pk/VrQnz-ZKvZI/AAAAAAAArj0/B-0eUDtMpFI/s640/blogger-image--939236350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5AFh4f0M-1M/VqQv_txh9AI/AAAAAAAArVU/qzoNRB2WXhs/s640/blogger-image-2085815262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5AFh4f0M-1M/VqQv_txh9AI/AAAAAAAArVU/qzoNRB2WXhs/s640/blogger-image-2085815262.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One of the classes I'm taking this semester is called Introduction to the Fashion Industry, and half of the course is field visits to local companies in the garment industry. It's been an eye-opening experience!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This week, we visited</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp;- National Sewing (a contracting company)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp;- Taylor Stitch (Indie raw jeans and button up shirts company)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp;- Weston (Julie Weston's designs, sample construction, and wholesaler)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp;- Holly Hill (boutique shop in San Carlos)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I took a few photographs along the way!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">National Sewing was the biggest learning experience for me during our trip out. Nowadays, almost all of our clothing seems to come from Asia, and while I know there are contracting companies (i.e., sewing factories) here in the USA, I had no idea that there are 60-80 of them in the Bay Area alone. Of course, the caveat is that decades ago, there were hundreds of sewing shops, which have closed up as more companies seek cheaper manufacturers abroad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is what the contracting company looked like when we first walked in. It's pretty packed with machinery!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nna6krGWhBk/VrPEOB85LBI/AAAAAAAArjU/KEytc_UfmDg/s640/blogger-image--1130774225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nna6krGWhBk/VrPEOB85LBI/AAAAAAAArjU/KEytc_UfmDg/s640/blogger-image--1130774225.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can see some piles of Chubbies shorts being made.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A8sew_oOs5k/VrPEJw0pKXI/AAAAAAAArjM/4LOR8zvYo44/s640/blogger-image-1849534418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A8sew_oOs5k/VrPEJw0pKXI/AAAAAAAArjM/4LOR8zvYo44/s320/blogger-image-1849534418.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This here is a fabric cutting machine. They can stack up several inches of fabric layers, and cut out garment pieces all at once, in different colours!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qQB0Cbp2nYo/VrPEF12iM8I/AAAAAAAArjE/7-yCmi4Zjz4/s640/blogger-image-2088260567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qQB0Cbp2nYo/VrPEF12iM8I/AAAAAAAArjE/7-yCmi4Zjz4/s320/blogger-image-2088260567.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In stark contrast to the organized chaos of the contracting company, the next place we visited was Taylor Stitch, an indie clothing shop full of raw denim and very nice button up shirts. I'm thinking I need to head back at some point to get a shirt for Spousal Unit!</div><br />Here, we got to learn a bit about the retail experience for independent clothing lines, how important it is to foster a community for small stores like these, and also how critical it is to be familiar with your target market.<br /><br />The store in the Mission is a very cool space, also!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lgdm8vyy2j8/VrPEIH5Mz5I/AAAAAAAArjI/sUVq67LZ2Wg/s640/blogger-image-1289014863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lgdm8vyy2j8/VrPEIH5Mz5I/AAAAAAAArjI/sUVq67LZ2Wg/s640/blogger-image-1289014863.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MZfKRT4nJ_g/VrQn5NGgjOI/AAAAAAAArkM/owsuV4qiIsU/s1600/blogger-image-1132075344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MZfKRT4nJ_g/VrQn5NGgjOI/AAAAAAAArkM/owsuV4qiIsU/s320/blogger-image-1132075344.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Look at these gorgeous shirts. Don't you just want to stick your hand in between all of them? I can still feel the crisp cotton. Aw yeah, fibre.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V5adxA8CjMo/VrPEL3lDRsI/AAAAAAAArjQ/gGLNpHziZ04/s640/blogger-image-1571219223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V5adxA8CjMo/VrPEL3lDRsI/AAAAAAAArjQ/gGLNpHziZ04/s320/blogger-image-1571219223.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />At Taylor Stitch, you can get measured for a custom shirt, which is made in New Jersey. They have an appealing little corner in their shop dedicated to their swatches and all the tools they need to take measurements.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_UpqRxAgHhs/VrQn1k1T3JI/AAAAAAAArj4/h_ytJw78Ouc/s640/blogger-image--2071955418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_UpqRxAgHhs/VrQn1k1T3JI/AAAAAAAArj4/h_ytJw78Ouc/s320/blogger-image--2071955418.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />Having covered manufacturing and indie retail, we moved on next to the offices of Weston, formerly known as Weston Wear. Headed by the designer, Julie Weston, the employees at Weston operate a full design house. You might be able to find some Weston designs at large department stores, but also at <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/search/search.jsp?searchPhrase=weston#/" target="_blank">Anthropologie</a>.<br /><br />Check out these racks of patterns (you can't see it in this shot, but one section actually was labelled "Anthro"):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3M2waT6GEw/VrQnxx6uCJI/AAAAAAAArkM/Et1vFFpaCGE/s1600/blogger-image-1932625347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3M2waT6GEw/VrQnxx6uCJI/AAAAAAAArkM/Et1vFFpaCGE/s320/blogger-image-1932625347.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />Here's a photo of Shawn, taking photos. :P<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yi1MnNzF7F8/VrQnuKgD1JI/AAAAAAAArkM/jfEpEJVHU2M/s1600/blogger-image--139230056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yi1MnNzF7F8/VrQnuKgD1JI/AAAAAAAArkM/jfEpEJVHU2M/s320/blogger-image--139230056.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;At the Weston offices, they have rolls and rolls of fabric. These aren't for manufacturing, just for making samples!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuJRT2Dl13c/VrQnv3cWMYI/AAAAAAAArkM/P9WSEE84XV0/s1600/blogger-image--707913133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuJRT2Dl13c/VrQnv3cWMYI/AAAAAAAArkM/P9WSEE84XV0/s320/blogger-image--707913133.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Along with their fabric, next to their garment sewing area, was this amazing thread cabinet:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jT1dXEl2H8/VrQn8tHXFRI/AAAAAAAArkM/qV7rp5BEvSE/s1600/blogger-image--951814147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jT1dXEl2H8/VrQn8tHXFRI/AAAAAAAArkM/qV7rp5BEvSE/s320/blogger-image--951814147.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />And of course, tools modern pattern makers need: a digitizer (left) and plotter (right):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tdg2n6f4gts/VrQn3cajzkI/AAAAAAAArkM/VGde9yepX1Y/s1600/blogger-image--1647357765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tdg2n6f4gts/VrQn3cajzkI/AAAAAAAArkM/VGde9yepX1Y/s320/blogger-image--1647357765.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />Our last stop during this field trip was at Holly Hill, a small boutique shop in San Carlos, to get a taste of the retail end of the garment industry. The owner and manager of the shop, Holly Hill, explained her purchasing process to stock her store. Much like what we heard at Taylor Stitch, knowing your customer base and building a bit of a community are essential to survival in running a store like this.<br /><br />Holly Hill boutique is stocked with plenty of gorgeous clothing, and my wallet did not leave unscathed!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slm_5YmcXOk/VrQn6zJps2I/AAAAAAAArkM/9PKj_zJ9WTI/s1600/blogger-image-1604969313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slm_5YmcXOk/VrQn6zJps2I/AAAAAAAArkM/9PKj_zJ9WTI/s320/blogger-image-1604969313.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Here's a photo of Holly herself, posing for a photo for Shawn, who is hiding behind the calla lilies to the left:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha3gDEFj1Pk/VrQnz-ZKvZI/AAAAAAAArkM/uiayTmM7Idg/s1600/blogger-image--939236350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha3gDEFj1Pk/VrQnz-ZKvZI/AAAAAAAArkM/uiayTmM7Idg/s320/blogger-image--939236350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Our field trip days are long and tiring, but extremely informative. When I initially signed up for this course, I was completely clueless about the garment industry. For someone trying to enter it as a career, this is a pretty frustrating state to be in! But just one day of visiting places has taught me a lot about what to expect, and I am definitely looking forward to our next day of visits tomorrow!<br /><br /><br /><br />Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-68430384875321326742016-01-20T21:03:00.000-08:002016-02-04T21:21:24.960-08:00Illustration: Watercolour<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O6XSTv_6HxU/VrQtx9wKk9I/AAAAAAAArkg/2-eRhWofvHs/s640/blogger-image--970340503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now that school has started again, I was able to get a hold of my final project for the fashion illustration class, which was my first real attempt with watercolour paints. I didn't post it before, because I had spent so much time with this painting that I got so sick of it, and all I could see were the parts where I messed up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8J5VOLf5Mc/VrQw63f1HkI/AAAAAAAArkw/ztu4gIgP_0U/s1600/Twiggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8J5VOLf5Mc/VrQw63f1HkI/AAAAAAAArkw/ztu4gIgP_0U/s320/Twiggy.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Enough time has passed, though, that I'm less annoyed with it than before. Enough time has also passed that I'm not really sure if I ever took photographs of my prior sketches, but I'm OK with that!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't find the original image again either, but this is based off a photograph of Twiggy, taken some time in the late 1960's, I think. I'm pretty happy with the way the jacket turned out!&nbsp;</div><br /><br />Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-60523358467554598352015-11-18T22:19:00.000-08:002015-11-18T22:19:38.670-08:00Illustration: Polka dot sweater and feather dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just finished this illustration:</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Yu7Mdl0Ps/Vk1l7Q7HDkI/AAAAAAAAm9s/8j2Fc4hdJcM/s1600/7-final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Yu7Mdl0Ps/Vk1l7Q7HDkI/AAAAAAAAm9s/8j2Fc4hdJcM/s320/7-final.jpg" width="240"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although by &quot;finished,&quot; I actually mean &quot;I stopped myself from adding any more to it before I ruined it.&quot; I am by no means a real artist! I am fairly happy with what I&#39;ve been turning out for this class, but it takes a lot of practice and fixing to get it that way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This assignment was a fashion drawing using only pencil crayon, illustrating clothing with pattern and/or texture. Check out my process!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/11/illustration-polka-dot-sweater-and.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-57293118662760611182015-09-25T13:24:00.000-07:002015-09-25T13:24:00.839-07:00Illustration: Legs and FacesI&#39;m doing a bit of catch-up with posting, since the first month of classes has completely thrown off my blogging schedule. I haven&#39;t sewn anything since the last wedding we went to, but hopefully I can rectify that next week, before the next onslaught of assignments and exams starts up in mid-October.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aiu8c0u3JkI/VgMWK0D6uXI/AAAAAAAAmJk/1xs-cij3gzI/s1600/DSC02990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aiu8c0u3JkI/VgMWK0D6uXI/AAAAAAAAmJk/1xs-cij3gzI/s320/DSC02990.JPG" width="320"></a></div><br>Here are a bunch of photographs of the better attempts in my work, over the past two weeks, where we focussed on legs, and then faces.<br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/09/illustration-legs-and-faces.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-29943226896974639772015-09-23T13:50:00.000-07:002015-09-23T13:52:12.353-07:00Dart ManipulationsDart manipulation is magical. Using a basic sloper or master pattern, you can do all sorts of things to the placement of each dart, which completely changes the look of the garment without changing the overall fit. Even a simple change can let you do something like this:<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-qszaY-BGw/VgH-O8B63LI/AAAAAAAAmHE/lK8yaWD_Tzs/s1600/DSC02985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-qszaY-BGw/VgH-O8B63LI/AAAAAAAAmHE/lK8yaWD_Tzs/s320/DSC02985.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br>We&#39;ve been doing these basic dart manipulations in my flat pattern class for the past few weeks, on paper. And if it isn&#39;t obvious from <a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/" target="_blank">this blog&#39;s name</a>, I&#39;m a big fan of starting out on paper, whether it&#39;s a paper prototype for your interface design, or <a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2014/06/woven-fabrics.html" target="_blank">learning about textile weaves</a>.<br><br>The dart manipulation above is the one I&#39;m about to show you in this post, where we add the side seam dart into the waist seam dart, to create one bigger, combined dart.<br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/09/dart-manipulations.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-46256128528625635402015-09-18T20:39:00.004-07:002015-09-18T20:39:43.260-07:00Fashion Illustration - Stick FiguresOne of the classes I'm taking this fall is fashion illustration, which is turning out to be much more fun than I expected. I really can't draw to save my life, never mind drawing people! So it was a relief to learn that we would be starting out drawing stick fashion figures:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1iveLM3SQ0/VfzVMjWPlbI/AAAAAAAAmDE/GydqF40kg88/s1600/DSC02912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1iveLM3SQ0/VfzVMjWPlbI/AAAAAAAAmDE/GydqF40kg88/s320/DSC02912.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Far from being basic stick figures, though, there is a bit of a proportion and height formula which makes it easy to follow. Understanding that each line represents a basic bone structure also helps.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zre529kwDY/VfzVMiXUH0I/AAAAAAAAmDI/5irqQR6K7_g/s1600/DSC02913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zre529kwDY/VfzVMiXUH0I/AAAAAAAAmDI/5irqQR6K7_g/s320/DSC02913.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Occasionally, adding props and a martini spices up class drawing time a little. :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OfCyTH9ieqg/VfzVMtDxsTI/AAAAAAAAmDM/-_wuwBloO9I/s1600/DSC02914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OfCyTH9ieqg/VfzVMtDxsTI/AAAAAAAAmDM/-_wuwBloO9I/s320/DSC02914.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />It's amazing how much you can get out of just a few well proportioned lines!<br /><br />The next step has been to start "blocking" our stick figures, or adding a bit of muscle to our bony ladies.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HacnYkNcOts/VfzVNLN4YYI/AAAAAAAAmDQ/_Bzk6k8yRBQ/s1600/DSC02915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HacnYkNcOts/VfzVNLN4YYI/AAAAAAAAmDQ/_Bzk6k8yRBQ/s320/DSC02915.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />"Runway model." Hahaha.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hD6qAQm_qbY/VfzVNSrfSAI/AAAAAAAAmDU/wQUdMvXSz6w/s1600/DSC02916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hD6qAQm_qbY/VfzVNSrfSAI/AAAAAAAAmDU/wQUdMvXSz6w/s320/DSC02916.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6HW5hIZwfQ/VfzVNuZC94I/AAAAAAAAmDY/8XTld_aTXD4/s1600/DSC02917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6HW5hIZwfQ/VfzVNuZC94I/AAAAAAAAmDY/8XTld_aTXD4/s320/DSC02917.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Some of these drawings are actually based on fashion models, but most are strictly out of my imagination. You can see various notes that I've taken along the way; if you're wondering about this last lady and the wall of text between her legs, I was jotting down some pointers my instructor had for her crotch and thigh placement.<br /><br />The next things we are working on are developing our leg drawing skills and faces. I've had a lot of difficulty blocking out feet, so this is going to be a slog.Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-72094133181638083062015-08-24T15:23:00.001-07:002015-08-24T15:30:10.369-07:00Fashion School & Project PlanningI&#39;ve been very busy over the past weeks, but my future months are going to be even more hectic, since as of last week I&#39;ve started a fashion design program! I&#39;m officially a student at <a href="https://canadacollege.edu/fashion/" target="_blank">Cañada College</a>, and I&#39;ve got a full-time schedule, working towards a certificate in their technical oriented apparel program.<br><br>Although this means most of my sewing in the near future will be focused on coursework, I have set aside time to work on outfits for two weddings, and have started to plan out a queue for personal projects, which I&#39;m going to share with you now!<br><br>I often fall in love with prints that are on plain woven cotton fabric. While they don&#39;t always have the crispness associated with quilting cotton, they aren&#39;t too far off, which greatly affects the ability of the fabric to drape properly. So many of my patterns work best with fluid, lightweight fabrics, so I went on a quest a while back to find patterns more suitable for these cottons, and paired up some patterns with fabrics.<br><br>1. McCalls M7085<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjVoDsYdEY0/VdtvVUH_ZTI/AAAAAAAAln0/IjfpIYfzWPw/s1600/DSC02748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjVoDsYdEY0/VdtvVUH_ZTI/AAAAAAAAln0/IjfpIYfzWPw/s320/DSC02748.JPG" width="320"></a></div><br>This first one is actually finished. And I hate it.<br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/08/fashion-school-project-planning.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-3394578422325828062015-08-18T22:00:00.000-07:002015-08-24T15:28:51.937-07:00Recent TravelsAt the end of July, we spent a little over a week visiting with our family on Vancouver Island–in particular, this little munchkin:<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4eVEsTMGJk/VduWlPqEj3I/AAAAAAAAloU/DmfztOtLBvM/s1600/DSC02320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4eVEsTMGJk/VduWlPqEj3I/AAAAAAAAloU/DmfztOtLBvM/s320/DSC02320.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br>There is no sewing in this post, just a few photographs!<br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/08/recent-travels.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-58993546146641932572015-07-24T17:23:00.000-07:002015-07-24T17:23:23.366-07:00East Bay Yarn CrawlLast Saturday, Molly and I joined an East Bay yarn crawl, and visited four shops in one day! While it was far more laid back than a visit to <a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/02/stitches-west-2015.html" target="_blank">Stitches West</a>, it was still quite a journey, and I took many photographs along the way. Most of them look like this:<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ExfK9f6B2WA/VbLSya2H1pI/AAAAAAAAkjI/PVVQ_ByZ1h0/s1600/DSC02174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ExfK9f6B2WA/VbLSya2H1pI/AAAAAAAAkjI/PVVQ_ByZ1h0/s320/DSC02174.JPG" width="320"></a></div><br>This post should probably actually be called, &quot;Photographs of Molly in craft shops.&quot;<br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/07/east-bay-yarn-crawl.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-48613036383039410882015-07-14T08:30:00.000-07:002015-07-14T08:30:02.448-07:00Puppy HatMy manager is going on maternity leave starting next week, and a while ago I had promised to make her a puppy hat for the baby boy she will be meeting soon.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LL3HTMWdMu4/VaSmaUpzI8I/AAAAAAAAkQE/zQrlvDuOSTg/s1600/DSC02159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LL3HTMWdMu4/VaSmaUpzI8I/AAAAAAAAkQE/zQrlvDuOSTg/s320/DSC02159.JPG" width="320"></a></div><br>Right now, her only baby is her own dog, Scruffy; I tried to match his white colouring and very dark eyes, but I am no dog expert.<br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/07/puppy-hat.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-13737655300762316762015-07-04T10:29:00.000-07:002015-07-04T10:32:58.279-07:00Easy Paper GarlandA very long time ago, I posted this short bit about <a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2014/09/sewing-paper.html" target="_blank">sewing on paper</a>, but yesterday I made a paper garland for our long weekend BBQ celebrations, and took a bunch of photos along the way.<br><br>I made this one out of red and white papers and stuck a bright blue square in the middle, to celebrate both Canada Day and Independence Day!<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GEb_O87nlGY/VZgMiyJxzPI/AAAAAAAAj58/DVl15MZ_e6s/s1600/DSC02138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GEb_O87nlGY/VZgMiyJxzPI/AAAAAAAAj58/DVl15MZ_e6s/s320/DSC02138.JPG" width="320"></a></div><br>This is a super easy project, though it does require some time, depending on how large you want to make it. You can use any paper, really, even printer paper, but decorative scrapbook paper or cardstock is more durable.<br><br>Difficulty level: Easy<br>Time commitment: 1-2 hours<br><br>Materials:<br><br><ul><li>Paper (I used 6 sheets of 12&quot;x12&quot; cardstock)</li><li>Ruler</li><li>Scissors or paper punch</li><li>Matching thread</li></ul><br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/07/easy-paper-garland.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-46519821463557301802015-06-28T10:33:00.000-07:002015-06-28T10:33:09.559-07:00Stripe Study Shawl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An office reorganization has left my sewing equipment in a pile, ready to be set up again, but in the meanwhile I&#39;ve finally had a chance to finish this shawl I&#39;ve been working on since March.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LiO1lM1Yqv4/VZAs4WdZOyI/AAAAAAAAjmY/_JJ0vUnHFHs/s1600/DSC02042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LiO1lM1Yqv4/VZAs4WdZOyI/AAAAAAAAjmY/_JJ0vUnHFHs/s320/DSC02042.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pattern is Veera Välimäki&#39;s large triangular Stripe Study shawl, and I used Miss Bab&#39;s Yummy 2-ply, which I had picked up at <a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/02/stitches-west-2015.html" target="_blank">Stitches West</a> this year.</div><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/06/stripe-study-shawl.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-65388696095187080492015-06-14T22:20:00.000-07:002015-06-14T22:20:07.729-07:00Knots of Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This weekend I had a chance to make two hats for <a href="https://www.knotsoflove.org/" target="_blank">Knots of Love</a>, a charity which collects and distributes handmade chemo caps and hats to those undergoing chemotherapy or facing other illnesses. I meant to make one, but crochet goes so quickly that I ended up doing two!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nifs82cJHkk/VX5WminO3CI/AAAAAAAAijA/OwhdPGhHboc/s1600/DSC01949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nifs82cJHkk/VX5WminO3CI/AAAAAAAAijA/OwhdPGhHboc/s320/DSC01949.JPG" width="320"></a></div><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/06/knots-of-love.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-74868064219936752422015-06-11T22:45:00.001-07:002015-06-11T22:45:34.663-07:00Rolled Hem via SergerA rolled hem done with a serger or overlock machine is just about the easiest thing ever. Fancier machines will have the setting built in, and all it takes is a flip of a dial. Older machines with manual tension control will need a little more work, but it&#39;s still doable if you understand the theory of it!<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3dKZWmP8yD4/VXpspgzSSKI/AAAAAAAAiO4/YXI1vVZIWs0/s1600/DSC01683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3dKZWmP8yD4/VXpspgzSSKI/AAAAAAAAiO4/YXI1vVZIWs0/s320/DSC01683.JPG" width="320"></a></div><br>Rolled hems are great for napkin edges, kitchen linens, skirt hems, and scarves, just to name a few examples. Once you&#39;ve seen them, you can&#39;t help but notice them on many store-bought items.<br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/06/rolled-hem-via-serger.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-431130095718121532015-05-31T23:28:00.000-07:002015-06-01T08:29:22.622-07:00Hidden Magnetic Purse ClosureI had an idea late last night on how to make a hidden magnetic purse closure. I didn&#39;t want to use sew-in ones (bleh, too much work for a quick tote bag project), and the more typical magnetic clasps require extra reinforcement for the metal pieces that go through the fabric.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_goBOdKMv9s/VWvwWBZ2h1I/AAAAAAAAhC8/Hx-bF4kZ9lM/s1600/DSC01699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_goBOdKMv9s/VWvwWBZ2h1I/AAAAAAAAhC8/Hx-bF4kZ9lM/s320/DSC01699.JPG" width="320"></a></div><br>On our fridge, we have a bunch of <a href="http://amzn.to/1KGWmnI" target="_blank">Mighty Magnets</a>*, which are ridiculously strong for their size, and extremely effective. I was thinking it would be easy to slip them into a little fabric pocket, sew that into my bag with a machine, and voila! Hidden magnetic purse closure. Check out this super simple tutorial!<br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/05/hidden-magnetic-purse-closure.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-12691786941283879142015-05-20T22:15:00.000-07:002015-05-20T22:15:02.547-07:00yardage.infoI routinely find myself in fabric stores, ogling yards of bolts of fabric, and more often than not will buy some without a clear idea of a project. I used to buy just one yard, but then through practice, found that one yard wasn&#39;t enough for a lot of the projects I wanted to make. Now I&#39;m up to 1.5 or 2 yards, depending on the cost.<br><br>Last year, I had an idea for a little web application where one could estimate how much fabric would be necessary to do different projects–an on-the-go fabric shopping aid, if you will. I registered a domain and never really got around to building anything until this past weekend.<br><br>You can find it at <a href="http://yardage.info/">yardage.info</a>.<br><br>Isn&#39;t that a cute domain name?<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j0mSSJ6DQh8/VV1ljt3H9PI/AAAAAAAAgXQ/uCnFs0YAUeo/s1600/Screenshot%2B2015-05-20%2B21.55.45.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j0mSSJ6DQh8/VV1ljt3H9PI/AAAAAAAAgXQ/uCnFs0YAUeo/s320/Screenshot%2B2015-05-20%2B21.55.45.png" width="224"></a></div><br><br>You can select different categories, and various project characteristics will pop up to give a slightly more accurate estimate. Right now it&#39;s heavily focused on women&#39;s clothing; eventually I&#39;d like to include menswear and accessories.<div><br></div><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/05/yardageinfo.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-80313032926677537202015-05-13T22:44:00.002-07:002015-05-13T22:46:00.897-07:00UFOs and WIPs and queuesI meant to write a post for today about rolled hems, as I took some related photographs a while ago... but got completely sidetracked by minor disagreement I had with my serger, which is still unresolved. I feel that the needle threads ought to be catching all of the lower loops, yet my serger seems to be of the opinion that it can avoid catching every tenth loop or so.<br><div><div><br></div><div>I am confident I will prevail, if only because a full cleaning and rethreading is going to happen, and soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w6Lq_nTrAxA/VVQwfJN6t_I/AAAAAAAAgMo/yAVxJ4gAyko/s1600/DSC01663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w6Lq_nTrAxA/VVQwfJN6t_I/AAAAAAAAgMo/yAVxJ4gAyko/s320/DSC01663.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div><br></div><div>In the meanwhile, I thought I might post some pictures of recent and current projects, because as a true crafter, I never have just one!</div></div><div></div><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/05/ufos-and-wips-and-queues.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-19505654516824049762015-05-08T22:48:00.000-07:002015-05-08T22:48:00.507-07:00Stonemountain and DaughterI lived in Berkeley for two years, and somehow never was able to get my butt over to <a href="http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/" target="_blank">Stonemountain and Daughter</a>. In my defence, we were never really set up for me to sew while I was doing my degree, but now I really regret not going!<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82CsQa0Kcrg/VUmwW9vbvwI/AAAAAAAAgF8/tQ--SjyXxeE/s1600/DSC01604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82CsQa0Kcrg/VUmwW9vbvwI/AAAAAAAAgF8/tQ--SjyXxeE/s1600/DSC01604.JPG" width="320"></a></div><br>I finally had reason to go last week, and took a few photographs while I was there.<br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/05/stonemountain-and-daughter.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-87489519093989230362015-05-06T22:13:00.000-07:002015-05-06T22:13:49.710-07:00Basic Hem 2: Knit BoogalooContinuing the theme of <a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/04/basic-hemming.html" target="_blank">basic hemming</a>, here&#39;s some photographs from a tunic I made using some very cute two-way stretch fabric.<br><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjLr9rLQjGo/VT06HWhXO7I/AAAAAAAAfxY/QTt9RYStjlY/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjLr9rLQjGo/VT06HWhXO7I/AAAAAAAAfxY/QTt9RYStjlY/s1600/0.jpg" width="213"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Knits don&#39;t really unravel like woven fabrics do, so you can often get away with not hemming them. But that doesn&#39;t mean you should–hemming will give your garment a nice, clean edge, and in many cases may look better than your best effort to cut a straight line.</div><div></div><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/05/basic-hem-2-knit-boogaloo.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744085018282962575.post-43732424796135486752015-04-29T22:11:00.001-07:002015-04-29T22:11:02.917-07:00Basic Hemming<i>Hems! What are they good for? Absolutely most things!</i><br><br>I&#39;m pretty sure those are the actual lyrics of the song. No? OK they aren&#39;t. But hems are great, not just for garments, but for just about anything that isn&#39;t being turned out.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93Agyiii6sY/VT8CI0Jz96I/AAAAAAAAf2U/LxDerNpZITE/s1600/DSC01451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93Agyiii6sY/VT8CI0Jz96I/AAAAAAAAf2U/LxDerNpZITE/s1600/DSC01451.JPG" height="213" width="320"></a></div><br>You probably know how to do a basic hem, but in case you want to see pictures and don&#39;t want to <a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/04/finish-with-bias-binding.html" target="_blank">use bias binding</a>, here&#39;s how you can add one so your edges don&#39;t unravel.<br><br><a href="http://www.paper-robot.com/2015/04/basic-hemming.html#more">Read more »</a>Sandra Helsleyhttps://plus.google.com/108833011986373206079noreply@blogger.com0